Stephen Fry attacks copyright

Comments

• Well done Mr Fry, I say. I can't afford to buy downloads. If i feel like something deserves to be paid for, i.e. I get a CD or DVD out of it, I will go to a shop and buy it. However, if I want Aretha Franklin's 'A Little Respect' for a jokey singalong, I'm going to click on the Limewire icon.
  
  If buying music and video online was easy and reasonable, i wouldn't have a problem with it. However, things have got to change.
  
  @sachtastic Posted by sachtastic, UK
• Fry is talking nonsense. The clumsy attempts of record companies to defend copyright is no justification for illegal file sharing. The pro-sharing position is that musicians will rake back any money they lose through illegal downloads by increased ticket and T shirt sales. There is no evidence to sustain this whatsoever and it ignores the fact that the musician isn't the only person who needs to get paid - there's the songwriter, producer, engineer, sleeve artist, etc. All we seem to have done is replaced one unsustainable method of music distribution with another. We are effectively asking all but a few musicians at the top of the tree and the people who make their music possible to work for free.
  
  As for buying music online, in what way is it difficult and unreasonable? There are dozens of providers with a huge catalogue available in many formats. Posted by dillardandclark, UK
• I agree with dillardandclark. Fry is uttering nonsense for a supposedly intelligent man. I don't suppose he would agree to present QI for free. Total hypocrite.
  Freeloaders know they are stealing but their guilty consciences are being placated by so called 'tech savvy celebrities' spouting off rubbish like this. Posted by independentlabel, UK
• @sachtastic
  
  Where I used to download tracks for the same reason as you have mentioned, I now use Spotify for this where I can play the music straight away legally :) Posted by Lee, UK